Alastair Stewart is a freelance writer and mentor.

In 2013, Alastair founded DARROW, Scotland’s only dedicated forum for more than 200 up and coming writers. The magazine works predominantly with 16-35-year-olds to give them the tools they need to share their ideas, hone their craft and thrive as writers, journalists, and storytellers.

“Writing is as challenging as it is cathartic. Even in an age of such wonderful technology, ideas still come from within and to help people share them is a blessing.”

For the last four years, Alastair has taught English and History in Spain and prepared more than 400 students for Cambridge language examinations. He conducts writing and debate workshops, encouraging students to develop their writing style and passion for literature at all opportunities.

Alastair works as a freelance writer and journalist and has written extensively about Scottish politics for publications across Europe. He writes regular features on politics, culture and history as well as reporting on local news for some of the largest English-speaking publications in Spain.

In 2018, he joined Bremain in Spain as an assistant press officer and has been working to share its work with publications across Spain.

“Bremain in Spain is a fantastic force to expose Brexit for the jingoist crusade that it is. Real lives are in danger, and it’s fantastic to be involved with an organisation which knows that by confronting falsehoods and working together will we reverse this terrible obsession.”

In April, Alastair launched a petition to the House of Commons to introduce MPs for British citizens abroad and has received more than 1200 signatures.

“The EU is more than a high ideal. It’s a practical reality for thousands – I’ve lived in Spain, I’m engaged to a Macedonian, and I’ve always considered Europe a birthright.”

Alastair was previously a press officer at the Scottish Parliament and worked in public affairs. He remains an enthusiastic speechwriter for stakeholders in the public and private sector. He graduated from Edinburgh University in 2011 with a degree in International Relations.

He is an avid reader, has recently fallen in love with comics and wishes he’d created Flashman. He splits his time between Edinburgh, Macedonia and Spain with his fiancé and occasionally dazzles in the kitchen (although she questions this assertion…).

Search

Is it time for Hans Zimmer to step away from Batman?

Now don’t all shoot me at once for this, but a thought has come into my head today and it’s been hard to shake. Warner Bros. has released a sample of Hans Zimmer and Tom Holkenborg’s (Junkie XL) score for the forthcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film. It’s good but highly reminiscent of his work on Man of Steel (perhaps that’s the point, we’ll have to wait and see).

Given Zimmer’s involvement with the Man of Steel and his previous involvement with Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Entertainment, it is highly likely that he will continue composing or producing soundtracks for the new line of DC movies. Whether or not he will have a hand in the rumoured new trilogy of Batman films with Ben Affleck is another question, but at present, it’s a safe bet.

But is this an issue? If you read Darrow often you’ll know I LOVE Hans Zimmer (and yes, I’ve indulged a Daily Mail idiocy of putting words in capitals, such is my enthusiasm). From Dark Knight to Inception to Interstellar with Crimson Tide and The Lion King thrown in for good measure, Zimmer’s music brings heady emotional heights to pictures which I sincerely believe would have been denied something special without his presence (think The Last Samurai and The Dark Knight Rises).

That’s why he can’t do Batman ever again (ducks from flying beer bottles). Hans Zimmer has been involved with some of the biggest blockbusters of the last twenty years. Yet in the past ten years, stylistic patterns have started to form, particularly with his five collaborations with director Chris Nolan. He uses a signature synthesis of computer sounds and orchestras, as with Inception, to Tcreate a tragically powerfully emotional punch while generating scale through sound for the ‘dream world’.

Although the new DC films are still Warner Bros. produced, they offer audiences an entirely new vision and opportunity to embrace these classic characters. The new Batman iteration should be a break with what came immediately before, even if it is hard to believe that Batman Begins is over a decade old.

It’s my passion for Zimmer’s music that makes me think that his prolonged association with the Batman character and DC, in general, will eventually lead to accusations of cliché and repetition. If the most recent sample from the upcoming film is anything to go by then innovation may have slowed in regard to these characters, albeit I am happy to eat my words.

I might be wrong, I hope I’m wrong, but I do think there can only be so many ways to portray the Batman/Bruce Wayne story in sound without being influenced, referencing or accidentally copying your own work from not one but an entire trilogy of films you did before.

Christian Bale was widely reported to have been offered an obscene amount of money to return as Batman. He was also reported to have been a bit jealous when he found out Ben Affleck got the job. Maybe’s it’s time for Hans to pass on the baton too.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Published by Alastair Stewart

Alastair Stewart is a freelance writer, journalist, and teacher based in Edinburgh and Almería. He regularly writes about politics, history, and culture for magazines across Europe.
He was formerly a press officer at the Scottish Parliament. He graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA in International Relations.
Alastair founded DARROW in 2013 to support new and emerging writing talent in Scotland around the world.
View all posts by Alastair Stewart

Post navigation

Alastair Stewart is a freelance writer, journalist, and teacher based in Edinburgh and Almería. He regularly writes about politics, history, and culture for magazines across Europe.
Alastair founded DARROW in 2013 to support new and emerging writing talent in Scotland and around the world.
He graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA in International Relations.